Maps and Compasses
Guidance concerning purpose is an oversight that we should never dismiss out of hand. Many of us are so used to taking our lives into our hands. Some of us even try to hear God but end up doing His will our way. This lack of patience usually lures us into the existing rat race of life. As Christians, we must be reminded that our cues come from a different system of thought, wisdom and spiritual understanding. In a time where everything around us yearns for our attention, we must learn to keep our eyes on His word and be sensitive enough to His guidance pervading in our hearts. (I am sorry for all the grammar). Now, Lord, I ask that you open the eyes of this reader!
Psalms 119:105 (NLT) Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
The bible is replete with God’s dealing with man. It was authored by the Holy-spirit through men and for men. Many times we seek direction and purpose. What on earth am I doing? What plans does God have for me? are questions we may have asked at some point in our lives or may currently be asking. The moment you surrender your life to Jesus Christ and you receive the gift of salvation, your journey in God begins in Kingship. But you must know two things.
Firstly,…
2Peter 1:3 (NLT) As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!
God has given us everything we need to live like Him on earth. We begin the quest by searching out all that He has purposed for us.
And secondly, …
Proverbs 25:2 (NLT) It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.
Maps
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
Our position as kings in the kingdom of God through salvation is a right of access into the plans that God has for us. Studying the Bible through the lens of His Spirit is the right way to find out all God intends to do through us and all the things He has done for us in Christ.
Compass
Romans 8:16 (NLT) For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.
Just as you cannot efficiently use a map without a compass, so you cannot understand the bible without the guiding light of the Holy-spirit and the primal criterion for access to the word of God is a confirmation of your salvation.
Maps and compasses
You may say if we all read the bible then we all must have the same purpose. Well, the answer is Yes and then-No. Yes in the sense that our lifelong pursuits should be about giving glory to the Lord (Ecclesiastes 12:13 -NLT Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person.) and No, in that the manner in which we give God glory differs in accordance to the ability which He has given to us all (Please check out the parable of the talents — Matthew 25:14–30).
As Christians, our lives are dependent on every word that the Lord has said to us by His word and we must take time to seek them out. When on a journey, you never check the map in a hurry neither do you take a short glance at the compass. We must take time out to seek out God’s will in EVERYTHING that He has commissioned us to do. We must also always take time to judge instructions through the sieve of the Holy-spirit. Let me say this more clearly, you cannot believe the word of God and obey the self-centered philosophies of unsaved men on social media!
Bolu Olatunji
